LAS VEGAS (June 23, 2010) — The National Hockey League today announced the 2009-10NHL All-Rookie Team, including four players who began the season as teenagers entering their first professional season: 19-year-old defenseman Michael Del Zotto of the New York Rangers, 19-year-old center Matt Duchene of the Colorado Avalanche, 20-year-old defenseman Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres and 19-year-old center John Tavares of the New York Islanders.

Also named to the All-Rookie Team are Atlanta Thrashers right wing Niclas Bergfors, 23, and Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard, 26. Voting was conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association at the end of the regular season

RANGERS DEFENSEMAN MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO NAMED TO NHL ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

New York, June 23, 2010 – New York Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto has been named to the 2010 NHL All-Rookie Team. He is the first Rangers player since Henrik Lundqvist in 2006 to be named to the NHL All-Rookie Team, the first skater since Mike York in 2000, and just the second Blueshirt defenseman ever after Brian Leetch in 1989.

Del Zotto, 19, registered nine goals and 28 assists for 37 points, along with 32 penalty minutes in 80 games this season. He made his NHL debut in the Rangers’ season-opener at Pittsburgh on October 2, becoming the youngest defenseman to suit up for the club since 18-year-old Dave Maloney in December 1974. Del Zotto tallied his first career point with the game-winning goal the next day on October 3 vs. Ottawa, becoming the first teenager to score a goal for the Rangers since Manny Malhotra (1998-99) and the second youngest defenseman in team history to accomplish the feat behind Red Garrett. It was also the first game-winning goal tallied by an NHL rookie in 2009-10. Del Zotto went on to capture NHL Rookie of the Month honors for October, leading all rookies in scoring at the time with 12 points (four goals and eight assists) in 14 games.

Del Zotto finished the season ranked first among all NHL rookies in power play assists (18), second in power play points (22) and tied for fifth in power play goals (four). He also ranked second in the NHL among first-year players in hits (162), fourth in assists and blocked shots (92), seventh in points and tied for 15th in goals. Del Zotto led the team in power play assists, ranked second in power play points, third in assists, tied for fourth in points, and ranked fifth in power play goals and eighth in goals. In addition, he led all team defensemen in goals, assists and points. The Rangers posted a record of 20-6-4 when he recorded a point, and were 5-1-1 when he tallied two points. He also registered eight points (two goals and six assists) in a seven-game span, beginning with his 30th point of the season on March 21 at Boston (goal) to April 6 at Buffalo.